Top Movies Of 1978

From Michael Cimino, starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage
Rated R

The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American epic drama film directed by Michael Cimino about a trio of Russian American steelworkers whose lives are changed forever after they are sent to fight in the Vietnam War. The film follows the three friends, Mike (Robert De Niro), Nick (Christopher Walken) and Steve (John Savage), from an idyllic small town in Pennsylvania to the jungles of Southeast Asia and back. The three men suffer psychological trauma from their experiences of friendship, courage, and tragedy on the battlefield and during a game of Russian roulette that Mike and Nick are forced to play by their captors. The Deer Hunter is a powerful exploration of loss, loyalty, and the human cost of war.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Van Morrison
Rated PG

The Last Waltz is a 1978 documentary directed by Martin Scorsese that chronicles the final concert performance of the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Band. The concert was held on Thanksgiving Day 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The film features performances by The Band, as well as several special guests, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Neil Diamond, and many others. The film also documents the story of the group's career and the members' decision to end it. Through interviews and concert footage, the film paints a vivid picture of the power and influence of The Band and its influence on music history.

From Terrence Malick, starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz
Rated PG

Days of Heaven is an American romantic drama film directed by Terrence Malick, written by Malick and author Edward Norton, and starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, and Linda Manz. Set in the early 1900s, the story follows Bill and Abby, two lovers escaping to the Texas panhandle in search of a new life. Bill finds work as a farm hand, but when Abby catches the eye of the wealthy farm owner, he decides to take advantage of the situation by claiming Abby is his sister. While the relationship between Bill, Abby and the farm owner develops, the heavenly backdrop of the beautiful grassland provides a peaceful setting for their love story. As the summer harvest draws to a close, a series of events leads to a tragic and unexpected conclusion.

From George A. Romero, starring David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Rated Unrated

Dawn of the Dead is a 1978 horror film directed by George A. Romero. Set shortly after the events of Romero’s 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead, the film focuses on four survivors of a zombie apocalypse that have taken refuge in an abandoned shopping mall. While struggling to survive against the relentless zombie hordes, the protagonists must also contend with other survivors scavenging the mall for supplies and a sinister biker gang. Dawn of the Dead is a classic horror-action film that blends horror, satire, and social commentary to create a thrilling and thought-provoking story.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a 1978 horror film directed by John Carpenter and written by Carpenter and Debra Hill. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, Donald Pleasence as psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis, and Nick Castle as Michael Myers, a masked serial killer who terrorizes the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. On Halloween night, Myers escapes from a mental institution and returns to Haddonfield, where he stalks Laurie and her friends as they attempt to stop him from killing innocent people. Through a series of chilling encounters, Laurie must confront her fears and face off against Myers in an epic battle of good vs evil. The movie has become a classic and spawned several sequels, remakes and spin-offs.

From Directors: Martin Rosen, John Hubley, starring John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Michael Graham Cox
Rated PG

Watership Down is a 1978 British animated adventure film directed by Martin Rosen and John Hubley, based on the 1972 novel of the same name by Richard Adams. The film tells the story of a group of rabbits who embark on an epic journey to find a new home after their warren is destroyed by man. Led by Fiver, their prophetic leader, the rabbits must face a variety of hazards, including predators and human encroachment, in order to find a safe haven. Along the way, they make allies and find enemies, learning the valuable lesson that strength comes from working together. With its award-winning animation, captivating story, and memorable characters, Watership Down has become a timeless classic.

From Alan Parker, starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli
Rated R

Midnight Express is a 1978 crime drama directed by Alan Parker. Based on a true story, the film follows Billy Hayes, an American college student studying abroad in Istanbul who is caught attempting to smuggle two kilos of hashish out of Turkey. He is sentenced to a harsh prison term, and his subsequent attempts to escape are met with harsh punishments. With the help of his lawyer, he puts together a daring plan for a final escape. The film delves into the horrors that Hayes faced in the Turkish prison system, as well as his fight for freedom and justice. It earned two Academy Awards and was nominated for several more, including Best Picture.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright
Rated PG

From Richard Donner, starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando
Rated PG

From John Landis, starring John Belushi, Karen Allen, Tom Hulce, Stephen Furst
Rated R

From Hal Ashby, starring Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, Bruce Dern, Penelope Milford
Rated R

From Woody Allen, starring Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, Kristin Griffith, Mary Beth Hurt
Rated PG

From John Guillermin, starring Peter Ustinov, Mia Farrow, Simon MacCorkindale, Jane Birkin
Rated PG

From Steve Rash, starring Gary Busey, Don Stroud, Charles Martin Smith, Conrad Janis
Rated PG

From Randal Kleiser, starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway
Rated PG

From Paul Mazursky, starring Jill Clayburgh, Alan Bates, Michael Murphy, Cliff Gorman
Rated R

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Lilli Palmer
Rated R

From Directors: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry, starring Warren Beatty, James Mason, Julie Christie, Jack Warden
Rated PG

From Michael Crichton, starring Michael Douglas, Rip Torn, Geneviève Bujold, Elizabeth Ashley
Rated PG

From Sidney J. Furie, starring Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, James Canning, Michael Lembeck
Rated R

From Colin Higgins, starring Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase, Burgess Meredith, Rachel Roberts
Rated PG

From Richard Attenborough, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter
Rated R

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Nancy Allen, Bobby Di Cicco, Marc McClure, Susan Kendall Newman
Rated PG

From Howard Zieff, starring Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Art Carney, Richard Benjamin
Rated PG

From Blake Edwards, starring Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, Dyan Cannon
Rated PG